ABOUT: Thank you for considering a presentation proposal for the 2018 WCISA Annual Conference. The conference will be held April 23-26, 2018 at the Hyatt Vineyard Resort in Santa Rosa, CA

The theme this year is "Old Growth, New Growth - Bridging the Gap," is a play on words from the more traditional forestry meaning. Old growth forests are those that have attained significant age without having sustaining major disturbances, such as wildfire, deforestation, pest outbreaks, climate change, etc., and thereby exhibit unique ecological features and provide important environmental benefits. The forest or stand that regenerates naturally or is planted is referred to as new or secondary growth. We plan to expand this concept to include both urban and developing forest lands that are in decline due to drought, climate change, secondary and destructive exotic pests, adverse growing conditions, senescence, and sub-standard practices. We will be looking at strategies for replacing the many threatened, ill-adapted, and aging trees throughout the southwest.

SOME OF THE ISSUES WE WANT TO ADDRESS: - long-term implications of climate change in the West - widespread forest mortality throughout the West - changes in natural tree distribution, species conversion, loss of critical habitat, disturbances to wildlife, loss of watershed, and other resource values connected to climate change - oaks and the changing landscape- facilitating oak regeneration - factors associated with urban tree mortality around the southwest- tree health concerns in California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada- new and destructive introduced pests: prognosis and managing strategies- loss of critical canopy cover and collective carbon-storage in urban areas, with respect to human health, demographics, and economics - strategies for extending the useful lifespan of urban trees- challenges associated in replacing aging, declining, threatened, and ill-adapted trees in urban forests around the chapter and elsewhere - promising new or underutilized tree species for a hotter, dryer climate- proper tree planting and early tree care practices- improving root zone conditions for trees - mitigating adverse soil conditions - ways to provide more soil volume for tree roots - new irrigation technology- improved maintenance practices- designing infrastructure with trees in mind- application of new technologies to improve tree management - plant restoration projects following disturbances- soil microbiology/maintaining soil health

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTION:- Complete the this form and return to Delia Juncal, delia@epicentermgmt.us or complete the online form at www.wcisaconnect.com- The preferred proposal format is our online form at www.wcisaconnect.com. Otherwise, submit a Word Document attached to an email. If necessary, proposals maybe mailed to 31910 Country Club Drive, Porterville, CA 93257.- If you have any questions, please contact Rose Epperson (repperson@wcisa.net) or Bruce Hagen (brucehagen7850@comcast.net)- Deadline for proposals is September 30, 2017